The Sloughi - a Riding-Companion
by Stephan Eberhardt
Deutsche Version
First
of all I should like to say, that there certainly are more suitable dogs
to accompany horse and man when riding out. It is generally the same like
"Agility" or at the training, but it is worth the trouble in
any case. It would be regrettable to reduce the Sloughi only to a sporting
dog, for coursing or decoration. Every Sloughi has his natural gifts or
talents that should be promoted.
The stages of the Training:
- Habituation of Horse and dog to each other
- Training at a bike
- Education, training
- Training with Horse and Dog
It
is ideal if mother-dog and the whelps already know the horse very well
or still better they grew up with the horse. They are not frightened of
the horse, nor do they see the horse an object to be chased, but they
have a natural respect for the horse.
In other respects, the horse and the dog should be able to get to know
each other in a free and easy environment, e. g. on a meadow but the dog
without the lead. So they can sniff at each other. But the man must control
if necessary. So the Sloughi may not bark at the horse or even chase it,
and the horse must not attack any dogs.
Training
at a bike:
It proved effective to train the dog to walk beside the bike before the
training with the horse begins. it is an advantage for the man not having
to concentrate on two animals during the beginning stage and he is also
able to react faster if necessary. The dog learns to walk on the right-hand-side.
Education - Training:
Here I don't want to say anything about good breeding or training of a
dog. The Sloughi and the horse should have a substantial training and
show some obedience. Instead of a collar we use a kind of "corselet"
or chest-harness for the dog, to reduce the pressure of the neck-spine.
Training
with horse and dog:
At the beginning we guide the dog and the horse side by side, either two
of us or one of us alone. After that an assistant guides the dog at the
right-hand-side of the rider mounted on the horse. The Sloughi needs some
time to get used to the new situation (Man sitting above him, etc.). If
it works then the rider can take over the lead and ride on together with
the dog. It is advantageous if this can take place at the beginning on
a meadow, a riding-school or similar, and if there is an assistant in
case a problem arises. If this stage of training proceeded with satisfaction
you may go on riding in the open. And at last, if there is a suitable
landscape you can ride without a lead.
Summary:
Certainly, it is an expenditure of a dog, but it is worthwhile and you
kill two birds with one stone.
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